There are two categories of people when it comes to love, those who find love with the first attempt and those who have to go through the proverbial frogs before finding the one. Unfortunately, most people fall in the second category. Our girl Nina was also part of the flock.
While many people are part of the many frogs’ battalion, some have it worse than others. Nina was the poster child for tragic relationships. She was the kind of person whose relationships never lasted.
For a while, she thought it was because she had a certain type so she decided to give a chance to people who weren’t typically her type. By the time she decided to give dating a break she could join just about any heartbreak support group. The one where you found out he was married, the narcissistic partner, the freeloader, the noncommittal one, the thief, and of course the one with baby mama drama.
There’s something about Nairobi that makes you feel like you need to get out to reignite some good luck in your life. That’s what Nina did. She decided to take a vacation rental for two months in a small town along the coast. It was supposed to be time to slow down, and self-reflect.
The slower pace, the friendly people, the Swahili dishes and walks on the beach gave her time to breathe. Coming down to the coast she decided that she was going to give dating a break. However, she was surrounded by couples everywhere. It didn’t help that it was February so the Valentine’s Day excitement was in the air.
One evening as she took an evening walk on the beach she bumped into a handsome Arab guy (she would later learn that he was of mixed race). The ocean breeze was stronger than usual so she was struggling to hold down her dress when her hat was blown away by the wind. It landed on the handsome guy’s feet.
“Nairobi girls not used to the beach,” he said cheekily in Swahili.
“Well, thank you, judgemental sir,” said Nina with a smile.
“Enjoy your walk,” he said as he rejoined his friends.
Nina also continued with her walk trying to soak in the view of the ocean. As she was walking back to the house she decided to have some pilau. By now she had identified a few local food joints. The place had also come highly recommended by the caretakers of the place where she was staying.
As she walked in she noticed a familiar face- it was the guy from the beach. He saw her too and waved. She found a seat and when the lady came to serve she commented, “You should have told me you were Adeel’s friend, I would have given special treatment from the get-go.” Before Nina could respond the handsome guy came over.
“She’ll have my usual order,” he told the lady.
“Hi, I’m Adeel,” he introduced himself to Nina.
“Well Adeel, fair warning, I don’t joke when it comes to my food. I better like whatever ‘your usual’ is,” said Nina not hiding her intrigue.
“It will become your usual too, we can bet on it.”
“That good, huh?”
“I wouldn’t pick something that would make a first bad impression,” said Adeel as he winked at her.
“I think we already crossed that bridge when you made it clear I was a typical Nairobian.”
“Oh honey, the big beach hat, the shades even in the evening, definitely from Nairobi,” said Adeel as they both broke into laughter.
The evening was filled with friendly banter and laughter. Anyone watching them would have thought they were old friends. Two hours later it was time for Nina to head back to the place she was staying. Adeel walked her to the gate.
“This is the bit of the night I ask for your name and number,” Adeel said rather gently, contrasting the cockiness he had displayed most of the night.
“Nina.”
“Beautiful! Nina who?”
“Ninanoki,” responded Nina with a chuckle.
“Beautiful girl with horrible jokes, I’ll be seeing you around Nina wangu (mine).”
He winked and walked away fast before Nina could get a word in. That was the start of what was going to be a life-changing encounter.
Nina and Adeel connected like souls that had known each other in other life. Despite Nina’s initial hesitation, spending time with Adeel was refreshing. He checked on her every morning either via text, a call or by bringing her breakfast. After doing this for the fifth day Nina asked him, “You do know this is just a fling that will end once I leave, right?”
“Yes, I do. I am not looking for a long-distance relationship either,” responded Adeel.
“Then why are you doing all this? Not that I don’t like it but it feels extra.”
“Do you check up on your friends frequently?” Adeel asked.
“Yes, I do but this is different.”
“How? Friends are people you like or love so you show concern. You are someone I really like even though you’ll be here for a short while, I believe in living in the moment.”
“Aren’t there rules about dating? Don’t show too much interest otherwise you’ll appear desperate and the like?” Nina asked genuinely.
“Do I look desperate to you?”
“No, I have seen how girls look at you,” said Nina.
“Nairobi people, that’s what I dislike about the place. So many people are playing games with each other.”
If she hadn’t been reading his body language as he said these things she would have thought he was just trying to impress her. He remained consistent throughout her stay in that coastal town. He even checked on her after she left. Encountering a genuine connection and a straightforward person opened her eyes to what had been missing in her love life. She found the healing she was looking for in an unexpected place.
Check out
How I Found Love In An Unexpected Place
Her Fling Hid In The Kitchen To Eat Food By Himself While She Was At His House
I Dated An Older Guy Who Treated Me Like A Sugar Baby
He Confessed His Love For Me On The First Date
I Was Dating Two Guys At The Same Time
When The Alpha Male Turns Out To Be A Mama’s Boy
When The “Nice” Guy You Are Dating Is A Bad Boy But You Can’t See It
